According to reports, former Springbok lock Victor Matfield will make his return to the playing field for the Bulls in this year’s Super Rugby competition.
Matfield, 36, retired from all forms of rugby after the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
He was the Bulls’ lineout coach in recent years and has trained with the team in the last while.
He will use this year’s Super Rugby competition to try convince Bok coach Heyneke Meyer that he’s still good enough to play international rugby.
Matfield is eyeing the 2015 World Cup in England. He will by 38 years old by then.
This is what Sport24 readers had to say about his comeback:
"It is always sad when a sporting great does not know when to retire!" - Jan Rabie
"Matfield returning to rugby after a 2 year abscence is insane, and that at the age of 36/37. I don't wish it for him but his body won't withstand the punches and he will probably get injured within the first 2-3 months and retire again, but this time not with the same grace or glory as before. Playing rugby is great, I know, but you should know when to quit. If he proves us all wrong great, but the odds are definitely against him!" - Pieter Lombard
"Not a good idee, need to give good young up and coming players there fair chance, he had his chance." - Arnold Myburgh
"I think it is time for Victor to move on and let new locks such as Etzebeth and Steph Du Toit to enjoy the Springbok jersey. He has won everything he can win I actually think he is very selfish." - Justin Gibb
"Both the Bulls and Springboks have struggled with their lineouts since Matfield retired - he's an asset whose loss both teams have felt! As far as I am concerned, we need him back on the field!" - Anne
"If Matfield successfully returns to top class rugby it would be the most amazing comeback ever. Personally I do not think that he will be a shadow of the player that we got used to see in the Bok jersey. He was already going of the boil at the time of his retirement." - Will Husselmann
"Please this is the joke of 2014. Matfield must Not deprive an up & coming young player a place in the rugby team. He has had his time in the team. Continue with coaching." - Margie
"Very desperate. Thats what happens when you don't look after player contracts and suffer from the mass exodus. Three years of bull agony awaits." - Handri van Wyk
"Hope they never make him captain again made the worst decisions as captain. At the end of his playing days he was not the player everybody talked about. He will only be a passenger." - Spandauspar
"As much as I believe he was the best in his time I also believe he should now through in the towel and let the younger players take his place, they also deserve an opportunity." - Dav & Liz
"Why don't some people know when they are has-beens? All he is going to do is injure or embarrass himself (or both) I cannot believe that the Bulls are that desperate for players that they are even considering offering him a contract." - Adrien Reid
"Victor decided to retire some 2 years ago and that is where he should stay. We have more than enough young talent in this country. Is Heyneke really that desperate that he will play him again? What message will that send to the young guns who have been holding more than their own in the Springbok team since Victor left? A definite, huge NO, the old toppie should not play again." - Jannie
"Far to old and alls it's going to do is stop the youngsters from playing ahead of him and they will be much better than him. How fit can he possibly be after not playing since 2011. If he gets picked for the Boks it will be a disgrace." - Craig
"This is shocking. It is now turning into a circus. Who will be next to return to the playing field, Bob Skinstad, Kobus Wiese or Toks vd Linde?" - Heinrich Bruwer
"Victor is a good leader and a player. He should definitely consider ending his early retirement. He is a superb player who puts his country first and he retired too soon. He must continue playing and develop the sport on the sideline." - Abram Sithole
"Are Zimmer frames allowed on the field?" - Bruce Gatland
Getting twitchy on the sidelines? (Gallo Images)